How this calculator works
This compares the two ways to put in a lawn on one area. Sod is the area plus waste, divided by the size of a roll, and goes by the pallet. Seed is the weight per 1,000 square feet for the grass you choose. Both routes need the same topsoil, starter fertilizer and watering.
Worked example: a 5,000 ft² lawn takes 525 rolls of sod (11.7 pallets), or 40 lb of tall fescue seed. A 2 inch layer of topsoil is 34.0 cubic yards with 10% extra, starter fertilizer 28 lb (18% N), and an inch of water is about 3,117 gallons.
Sod and seed by lawn size (tall fescue, 5% sod waste, 2 in topsoil)
Seed for a new lawn.
| Lawn | Sod rolls | Sod pallets | Seed | Topsoil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 ft² | 105 | 2.3 | 8 lb | 6.8 yd³ |
| 2,500 ft² | 263 | 5.8 | 20 lb | 17.0 yd³ |
| 5,000 ft² | 525 | 11.7 | 40 lb | 34.0 yd³ |
| 10,000 ft² | 1050 | 23.3 | 80 lb | 67.9 yd³ |
Tips before you buy
- Prepare the soil whichever way you go: remove weeds and stones, loosen the top 4 to 6 inches, level it, and rake it fine.
- Order sod for the day you lay it. It heats up and dies in a stack, and should go down within 24 hours.
- Seed in early fall for cool-season grass, so that it roots before winter, and keep the seedbed damp until the grass is up.
- Test the soil before you add fertilizer, and follow the rate on the bag. Starter fertilizer is high in phosphorus where the soil needs it.
- Stay off a new lawn until it is rooted: about two weeks for sod, and until the grass has been mowed a few times for seed.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need for 5,000 square feet?
5,250 ft² with 5% for cuts, which is 525 rolls of 2 × 5 ft sod or about 11.7 pallets. With 10% extra for curved edges it is 550 rolls.
How much grass seed do I need for 5,000 square feet?
About 40 lb of tall fescue for a new lawn at 8 lb per 1,000 ft², or half that for overseeding. Other grasses need different rates: follow the label.
How much water does a new lawn need?
About an inch a week once established, which is about 3,117 gallons on 5,000 ft². New sod or seed needs more frequent, lighter watering at first to stay moist until it roots.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
A 2 inch layer over 5,000 ft² is about 34.0 cubic yards with 10% extra. Good existing soil may not need any: loosen the top 4 to 6 inches and decide from there.
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Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.